Organisations wishing to establish a new osteopathic course or organisations with existing courses that wish to introduce new qualifications, should refer to the Recognised Qualification Process Guidelines, the Standard of Proficiency and the Osteopathic Benchmark Statement before completing and submitting the GOsC Initial RQ Application Form.
All recognised course providers must submit an annual report to the GOsC on the Recognised Qualification Annual Report form.
The Border and Immigration Authority (BIA) requires all osteopathic training institutions who are not publicly funded universities to register with the BIA in order to accept non-UK students. This is subject to a fee and provision of documentation that proves that the institution has been reviewed and validated by one of a number of named public bodies, which includes the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). Applications must be sent directly to the BIA, and supporting evidence from the QAA may be requested through the GOsC. Please contact the Professional Standards Department for assistance.
Further information can be found on the BIA website.
The GOsC feels that further accreditation from the BIA is unnecessary, due to the fact that all osteopathic courses are accredited by the GOsC/Privy Council, based on a review undertaken by the QAA. We will continue to lobby the BIA, Department of Health and Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills to gain an exemption from this requirement.
